EzRand Component

Properties   Methods   Events   Config Settings   Errors  

The EzRand component can be used to generate random numbers or bytes using a variety of algorithms.

Syntax

TipcEzRand

Remarks

The EzRand component can be used to generate random numbers or bytes using a variety of algorithms and implementations.

To begin first set the Algorithm property to the desired value. This property specifies the algorithm and implementation that will be used to generate the number or bytes. Possible choices include ISAAC, the Microsoft Crypto API, and platform specific random and secure random implementations.

Next set Min and Max to define the acceptable range of values when generating an integer. The Seed property may optionally be set. Then simply call GetNextInt to generate a random number. the RandInt property will be populated with the generated value.

To generate a random set of bytes set RandBytesLength to the desired number of bytes and call GetNextBytes.

Property List

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The following is the full list of the properties of the component with short descriptions. Click on the links for further details.

Method List

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The following is the full list of the methods of the component with short descriptions. Click on the links for further details.

Event List

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The following is the full list of the events fired by the component with short descriptions. Click on the links for further details.

Config Settings

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The following is a list of config settings for the component with short descriptions. Click on the links for further details.

Algorithm Property (EzRand Component)

The random number algorithm.

Syntax

property Algorithm: TipcTRands read get_Algorithm write set_Algorithm;

TipcTRands = (
  raISAAC,
  raMSCryptoAPI,
  raPlatform,
  raSecurePlatform,
  raRC4Random
);

Default Value

raISAAC

Remarks

This property specifies the algorithm used to generate the random number or bytes. Possible values are:

Max Property (EzRand Component)

The exclusive upper bound.

Syntax

property Max: Integer read get_Max write set_Max;

Default Value

100

Remarks

This property specifies the exclusive upper bound of the random integer to be generated. The value must be greater than Min. The default value is 100.

Min Property (EzRand Component)

The inclusive lower bound.

Syntax

property Min: Integer read get_Min write set_Min;

Default Value

0

Remarks

This property specifies the inclusive lower bound of the random integer to be generated. The value must be less than Max, and must not be negative. The default value is 0.

RandBytes Property (EzRand Component)

The random byte array.

Syntax

property RandBytes: String read get_RandBytes;
property RandBytesB: TBytes read get_RandBytesB;

Default Value

''

Remarks

This property holds the random byte array generated by calling GetNextBytes.

This property is read-only.

RandBytesLength Property (EzRand Component)

The length of the byte array to be generated.

Syntax

property RandBytesLength: Integer read get_RandBytesLength write set_RandBytesLength;

Default Value

16

Remarks

This property specifies the length of the random byte array to be generated. The RandBytes property will hold the byte array after GetNextBytes is called. The default value is 16.

RandInt Property (EzRand Component)

The random integer.

Syntax

property RandInt: Integer read get_RandInt;

Default Value

0

Remarks

This property holds the random integer generated by calling GetNextInt.

This property is read-only.

Seed Property (EzRand Component)

The seed.

Syntax

property Seed: String read get_Seed write set_Seed;
property SeedB: TBytes read get_SeedB write set_SeedB;

Default Value

''

Remarks

This property specifies the seed. This value is optional. If not specified and a seed is required the component will use the current time.

Seed Notes

• When Algorithm is set to 0 (raISAAC) the component uses the leftmost 256 bytes.
• When Algorithm is set to 1 (raMSCryptoAPI) the seed is ignored.
• When Algorithm is set to 2 (raPlatform) the component uses the leftmost 4 bytes.
• When Algorithm is set to 3 (raSecurePlatform) in .NET the seed is ignored. The seed is applicable in Java.

Config Method (EzRand Component)

Sets or retrieves a configuration setting.

Syntax

function Config(ConfigurationString: String): String;

Remarks

Config is a generic method available in every component. It is used to set and retrieve configuration settings for the component.

These settings are similar in functionality to properties, but they are rarely used. In order to avoid "polluting" the property namespace of the component, access to these internal properties is provided through the Config method.

To set a configuration setting named PROPERTY, you must call Config("PROPERTY=VALUE"), where VALUE is the value of the setting expressed as a string. For boolean values, use the strings "True", "False", "0", "1", "Yes", or "No" (case does not matter).

To read (query) the value of a configuration setting, you must call Config("PROPERTY"). The value will be returned as a string.

GetNextBytes Method (EzRand Component)

Generates a sequence of random bytes.

Syntax

procedure GetNextBytes();

Remarks

This method generates a new sequence of random bytes. The RandBytesLength property specifies the length of the byte array. After calling this method the RandBytes will hold the random bytes. The following properties are applicable when calling this method:

• Algorithm
• RandBytesLength
• Seed

GetNextInt Method (EzRand Component)

Generates a random integer.

Syntax

procedure GetNextInt();

Remarks

This method generates a random integer. The Min and Max properties define the minimum and maximum values. After calling this method the RandInt property will hold the integer. The following properties are applicable when calling this method:

• Algorithm
• Min
• Max
• Seed

Reset Method (EzRand Component)

Resets the component.

Syntax

procedure Reset();

Remarks

When called, the component will reset all of its properties to their default values.

Error Event (EzRand Component)

Fired when information is available about errors during data delivery.

Syntax

type TErrorEvent = procedure (
  Sender: TObject;
  ErrorCode: Integer;
  const Description: String
) of Object;

property OnError: TErrorEvent read FOnError write FOnError;

Remarks

The Error event is fired in case of exceptional conditions during message processing. Normally the component raises an exception.

The ErrorCode parameter contains an error code, and the Description parameter contains a textual description of the error. For a list of valid error codes and their descriptions, please refer to the Error Codes section.

Config Settings (EzRand Component)

The component accepts one or more of the following configuration settings. Configuration settings are similar in functionality to properties, but they are rarely used. In order to avoid "polluting" the property namespace of the component, access to these internal properties is provided through the Config method.

EzRand Config Settings

Base Config Settings

Trappable Errors (EzRand Component)

EzRand Errors